Atomizer and electronic cigarette using the same

ABSTRACT

An electronic cigarette includes a container for storing a tobacco flavored liquid, a container for storing a tobacco flavored liquid, an atomizer connected to the container to atomize the tobacco flavored liquid by an electric heating, a battery tube to power the atomizer, and an actuating film movably positioned in the battery tube to control the atomizer.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to electronic products, and particularly,to an atomizer and an electronic cigarette using the atomizer.

2. Description of Related Art

As is well known, smoking is not only harmful to a smoker, but alsoharmful to other people around him due to passive smoking, which isoften referred as secondhand smoking. In addition, a lit cigarette endmay cause a fire if it is not properly extinguished.

Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an electroniccigarette.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an inhalation element of theelectronic cigarette of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of atomizer of theelectronic cigarette of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a battery tube of the electroniccigarette of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side, schematic view of a switch of the electronic cigaretteof FIG. 1 showing a actuating film is separated from a perforated plate;

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5, but shows the actuating film contacts theperforated plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of an electronic cigarette 400includes a container 100 configured for storing a tobacco flavoredliquid, an atomizer 200 configured for vaporizing the liquid by electricheating, and a battery tube 300 configured for powering the atomizer 200and controlling the atomizer 200 to vaporize the liquid. The container100, the atomizer 200 and the battery tube 300 are connected one by one.

Referring to FIG. 2, the container 100 is detachably connected to theatomizer 200 to facilitate replacement of the container 100 and theliquid. The container 100 includes an inhalation element 1, a liquidtank 2, and an absorbent element 3. The inhalation element 1 is shapedas a substantially hollow cylinder defining an opening 102 at one endand an inhalation hole 104 at the other end thereof. The liquid tank 2defines a smoke channel 106 in a middle portion thereof communicatingwith the inhalation hole 104. The smoke channel 106 has a relativegreater width in a portion adjacent to the inhalation hole 104, suchthat the atomized liquid fully contacts an inner wall of the liquid tank2 and is cooled into water, thus avoiding the atomized liquid fromaffecting a taste of the liquid. The liquid tank 2 is received in theinhalation element 1 and contacts a sidewall of the inhalation element 1with one end. The sidewall of the inhalation element 1 and the other endof the liquid tank 2 cooperatively define a gap 108 therebetween toreceive the absorbent element 3. The inhalation element 1, the liquidtank 2 and the absorbent element 3 cooperatively define a liquid storagearea 110 to receive the liquid. A velocity of the liquid received in thestorage area 110 flow to the absorbent element 3 is slowed down due tothe gap 108, such that a fast consumption of the liquid and a highconcentration of the atomized flavored liquid can be avoid. Theinhalation element 1 and the liquid tank 2 may be made of food-gradepolypropylene (PP) and is disposable. In the illustrated embodiment, theabsorbent element 3 is a absorbent cotton.

Referring to FIG. 3, the atomizer 200 includes a liquid conductingelement 4, a stainless steel pipe 5, a sleeve 6, a heating wire 7, ametal fiber element 8, an atomizing cup 9, a nonwoven fabric 10, a nut11, a first washer 12, and a first pin 13. The stainless steel pipe 5 isclosely attached to an inner sidewall of the inhalation element 1. Theinhalation element 1, the stainless steel pipe 5, the liquid conductingmaterial 4, the metal fiber element 8 and the atomizing cup 9 arecoaxially arranged in that order. Both of an end of the liquidconducting material 4 and an end of the metal fiber element 8 contactthe absorbent element 3. The atomizing cup 9 defines a cavity 112 in amiddle portion thereof. The other end of the liquid tank 2 is receivedin the atomizing cup 9, such that the cavity 112 communicates with thesmoke channel 106. The atomizing cup 9 defines two coaxial through holes114 on a sidewall thereof communicating with the cavity 112. The sleeve6 is received in the cavity 112 and aligned with the two through holes114, such that the liquid guided by the metal fiber element 8 can flowinto the sleeve 6. The heating wire 7 is located inside the sleeve 6.When the heating wire 7 is heated by electricity, the liquid isvaporized and then passes through the smoke channel 106 and theinhalation hole 104 to reach a user's mouth. The atomizer 200 uses themetal fiber element 8 to guide the liquid to reach the heating wire 7accroding to capillary principle, such that an improved atomizing effectcan be achieved. In the illustruted embodiment, the heating wire 7 ismade of nichrome. The atomizing cup 9 is made of polytetrafluoroethene,which is used as a bracket for the heating wire to avoid heatdissipation. The liquid conducting material 4 is capable of storing thetobacco flavored liquid temporarily accroding to capillary principle andcan resist heat from conducting to container 100 effectively.

The nonwoven fabric 10 is sleeved on an end of the atomizing cup 9 awayfrom the liquid tank 2. The nut 11 is positioned adjoining an end of thestainless steel pipe 5. The short pin 13 is received in the nut 11. Thefirst washer 12, which is made of silicone, is positioned between thenut 11 and the short pin 13 to fix the short pin 13.

Referring to FIG. 4, the battery tube 300 includes a second washer 14, asecond pin 15, a screw element 16, a switch base 17, a switch 18, acontrol circuit board 19, a first insulation piece 20, an insulationcover 21, a tube body 22, a second insulation piece 24, a light controlboard 25, and a light cover 26. The screw element 16 is shaped as asubstantially hollow cylinder and is engaged in the nut 11. The secondpin 15 is located inside the screw element 16, and the second washer 14is positioned between the screw element 16 and the second pin 15 to fixthe second pin 15. The first pin 13 and the second pin 15 are bothhollow components, and define a channel 116 therebetween communicatingwith the cavity 112. The screw element 16 is received in the tube body22 via interference fit. The switch seat 17 is received in the tube body22 adjoining the screw element 16. The switch 18 is received in the seat17. The first insulation piece 20 is received in the tube body 22adjoining the switch 18. The control circuit board 19 is positionedbetween the first insulation piece 20 and the insulation covering 21 andelectrically connected to the heating wire 7. The switch 18 isconfigured to activate the control circuit board 19 to control a outputcurrent to the heating wire 7. The insulation cover 21 defines anopening (not labeled). The first insulation piece 20 is mounted on theinsulation cover 21 to cover the opening. A battery 23 may be positionedbetween the insulation covering 21 and the second insulation piece 24and be electrically connected to the control circuit board 19, The lightcover 26 covers a end of the tube body 22 away from the atomizer 200.The light control board 25 is mounted between the second insulationpiece 24 and the light cover 26 and electrically connected to thecontrol circuit board 19. The battery tube 300 further includes a LED 27positioned on the light control board 25.

Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the switch 18 includes a negativeelectrode 502, a positive electrode 504, a printed circuit board (PCB)506, a metal ring 508, an aluminum casing 510, an insulation plate 512,an actuating film 514, and a porous plate 516. The negative electrode502 and the positive electrode 504 are located on the PCB 506. The PCB506 is connected to the actuating film 514 via the metal ring 508. Theperforated plate 516 is also connected to the PCB 506. The insulationplate 512 is postioned between the actuating film 514 and the perforatedplate 516. The actuating film 514 and the perforated plate 516cooperatively forms an unidirectional switch 515 When the actuating film514 contacts the perforated plate 516 (as shown in FIG. 6), theunidirectional switch 515 is turned on, and the negative electrode 502and the positive electrode 504 are coupled; when the actuating film 514is separated from the perforated plate 516 (as shown in FIG. 5), theunidirectional switch 515 is turned off, and the negative electrode 502and the positive electrode 504 are disconnected. The insulation plate512 is positoned between the actuating film 514 and the perforated plate516 to prevent the actuating film 514 from accidentally contacting theperforated plate 516. When the switch 18 is assembled in the electroniccigarette 400, the actuating film 514 is opposite to the cavity 112 andthe channel 116, the perforated plate 516 is positioned between theactuating film 154 and the cavity 112. The perorated plate 516 iscapable of allowing an airflow to pass through. When the cavity 112 isin a state of negative pressure, the actuating film 514 contacts to theperorated plate 516 and the switch is turned off. When the cavity 112 isin a state of positive pressure, the actuating film 514 is pushed awayfrom the perorated plate 561 by the airflow and the switch cannot beturned off.

In use, the user inhales the electronic cigarette 400 at the inhalationhole 104, such that a negative pressure is formed inside smoke channel106, cavity 112, and channel 116, and a pressure difference is formed onopposite sides of the actuating film 514. The actuating film 514 istherefore impelled to contact the perforated plate 516 by the pressure,and the negative electrode 502 and the positive electrode 504 arecoupled to generate an electrical signal to activate a chip on thecontrol circuit board 19 to power the heating element 7. The heatingelement 7 vaporizes the liquid conducted by the metal fiber element 8into vapor, which is then inhaled by the user after passing through thechannel 116, the cavity 112, the smoke channel 106 and the inhalationhole 104. Because the switch 18 has the unidirectional switch 515, itcan stop the heating element 7 form working when the actuating film 514is not under a negative pressure cooperating with the control circuitboard 19. Therefore, no power consumption occurs when the electriccigarette stops working. The switch 18 is highly sensitive to ainspiration force and can shiled an exterior noise. The LED 27 on thelight control board 25 is turned on by the control circuit board 19 whenthe side of the actuating film 514 is in negative pressure condition, toimitate a lighting effect as a conventional cigarette.

The electronic cigarette 400 may be used as a substitute of conventionalcigarette. Because the tobacco flavored liquid used by the electroniccigarette 400 doesn't contain nicotin, a damage to the user's health canbe avoided. In addition, the electronic cigarette 400 can also reducethe cost of smoking and produce no cigarette ash and fire, and it isthus safe for use and good for environment protection.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thepresent invention, particularly, any preferred embodiments, are merelypossible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations andmodifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of theinvention without departing substantially from the spirit and principlesof the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended tobe included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the presentinvention and protected by the following claims.

1. An electronic cigarette, comprising: a container for storing atobacco flavored liquid; an atomizer connected to the container toatomize the tobacco flavored liquid by an electric heating; a batterytube to power the atomizer, and an actuating film movably positioned inthe battery tube to control the atomizer.
 2. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 1, wherein the container is detachably connected to the atomizerand comprises a inhalation element and a liquid tank; the liquid tank isreceived in the inhalation element and defines a smoke channel in amiddle portion thereof; the inhalation element, the liquid tank and theabsorbent element cooperatively define a liquid storage area to receivethe tobacco flavored liquid.
 3. The electronic cigarette of claim 2,wherein the inhalation element defines an opening at one end and aninhalation hole at the other end, one end of the liquid tank contactsthe inhalation element, the inhalation element and the other end of theliquid tank cooperatively define a gap therebetween; the containerfurther comprises an absorbent element received in the gap.
 4. Theelectronic cigarette of claim 3, wherein the atomizer comprises a liquidconducting element, a stainless steel pipe, a sleeve, a heating wire, ametal fiber element, and an atomizing cup; the inhalation element, thestainless steel pipe, the liquid conducting material, the metal fiberelement and the atomizing cup are coaxially arranged in that order; anend of the liquid conducting material and an end of the metal fiberelement contact with the absorbent element, the atomizing cup defines acavity communicating with the smoke channel; the atomizing cup defines athrough hole; the sleeve is received in the cavity and aligned with thethrough hole.
 5. The electronic cigarette of claim 4, wherein theatomizer further comprises a nonwoven fabric, a nut, a first washer, anda first pin; the nonwoven fabric is sleeved on an end of the atomizingcup away from the liquid tank; the nut is closely and coaxiallyconnected to the stainless steel pipe, the first pin is mounted in thenut, and the first washer is positioned between the nut and the firstpin to fix the first pin.
 6. The electronic cigarette of claim 4,wherein the battery tube comprises a tube body, a switch base receivedin the tube body, a switch comparing the actuating film, and a controlcircuit board; the control circuit hoard is electrically connected tothe heating element, the switch is received in the switch base; theactuating film faces towards the cavity; the control circuit board isactivated by the movement of the actuating film to control theelectrical current to the heating wire.
 7. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 6, wherein the switch further comprises a perforated plate locatedbetween the actuating film and the cavity; the actuating film and theperforated plate cooperatively forms an unidirectional switch.
 8. Theelectronic cigarette of claim 7, wherein the switch further comprises aninsulation plate located between the actuating film and the perforatedplate.
 9. The electronic cigarette of claim 6, wherein the battery tubefurther comprises a second insulation piece, a light control board, anda light cover; the light cover covers the end of the tube body oppositeto the atomizer, the light control board is mounted between the secondinsulation piece and the light cover and electrically connected to thecontrol circuit board.
 10. The electronic cigarette of claim 5, whereinthe battery tube comprises a second washer, a second pin, and a screwelement; the screw element and the nut are both hollow and connectedtogether via threaded connection, the second pin is located inside thescrew element, and the second washer is positioned between the screwelement and the second pin to fix the second pin; the first pin and thesecond pin are both hollow, and define a channel therebetweencommunicating with the cavity.
 11. An electronic cigarette atomizer,comprising: a metal fiber element for conducting a tobacco flavoredliquid.
 12. The electronic cigarette atomizer of claim 11, wherein theatomizer further comprises a liquid conducting material, and the liquidconducting material and the metal fiber element are coaxially arranged.13. The electronic cigarette atomizer of claim 12, wherein the atomizerfurther comprises a liquid tank defining a smoke channel and anatomizing cup defining a hollow cavity communicating with the smokechannel.
 14. The electronic cigarette atomizer of claim 13, wherein theatomizer further comprises a sleeve and a heating wire received insidethe sleeve; the atomizing cup defines a through hole; the sleeve isreceived in the cavity and aligned with the through hole.
 15. Theelectronic cigarette atomizer of claim 14, wherein the atomizer furthercomprises a stainless steel pipe; the stainless steel pipe, the liquidconducting material, the metal fiber element, and the atomizing cup arecoaxially arranged.
 16. The electronic cigarette atomizer of claim 13,wherein the atomizer further comprises a nonwoven fabric sleeved on anend of the atomizing cup.
 17. The electronic cigarette atomizer of claim15, wherein the atomizer further comprises a nut coaxially connected tothe stainless steel pipe.
 18. The electronic cigarette atomizer of claim17, wherein the atomizer further comprises a first pin received in thenut.
 19. The electronic cigarette atomizer of claim 18, wherein theatomizer further comprises a first washer positioned between the nut andthe first pin to fix the first pin.